Long Term Update 7: 2010 Acura ZDX

The ZDX has incited more editorial arguments and spontaneous thumb-wrestling than the choice of caterers at the last company picnic. Opinions are right down the middle in styling with people like myself comparing it to Star Wars vehicles and others stating that after almost a year, it still leaves them scratching their heads. One thing everyone agrees on is the arduous process of getting in and out of the back seat. Associate Web Editor Kong concluded after extensive scientific investigation that the optimum height for rear seat passengers is anything under 5-feet. To be honest, I still haven't ridden in the back, I tried getting in and out and it was certainly difficult, my 5-foot, 4-inch wife even struggles with the process. Unlike other editors here, I don't seem to have a problem with front seat ingress/egress. Years of folding in and out of sports cars has taught me well.

Drivetrain opinions are equally split ranging from perfectly adequate to sadly underpowered. Interestingly enough it seems to be the camp that used the Scifi-UV for road trekking that finds it adequate, the around-towners find it underpowered for the purpose of shooting in and out of traffic. Although I would like more power, who wouldn't, the engine provides decent thrust when the transmission is used to best effect. Perhaps the well sorted suspension and steering do too great a job giving the ZDX a small car feel and expectations exceed its considerable girth.The size is a big downside for urbanite empty-nesters this car is intended for. The width of the flared out fastback is substantially greater than the wrap around cockpit leads the driver to believe. I find myself parking too close to the vehicle to the right and having to pull out and reposition so passengers can open the longish doors. The price you pay for style.

Even after 12 months of service, it does in fact still turn heads. The ZDX continues to be a rare beast, even in the trendiest areas of Southern California. In parking lots where more exotic and even less useful pseudo-off-roaders reign, the big Acura sticks out like a futuristic cyborg thumb. Something that is great for owners of ZDXs but certainly not a good sign for Acura's accounting department. In several months of driving, I have only seen another three or four fellow future-philes in other ZDXs. Suprisingly, I have only seen one other that wasn't silver and it was basic black.

Even if you don't like tomorrow's looks, you have to appreciate the technology. Automotive journalists tend to hate blind spot warning systems, active cruise control and anything that may suggest they need help driving. The system is much loved and appreciated on this Acura. Given the limited visibility out the back of the dramatic roofline, the Blind Spot System has probably saved us more banged up quarter panels than the invention of the horn. The Active Cruise Control is equally loved. While I tend to think my "money foot" is nigh infallible, it does need rest on road trips. Just set the cruise to a maximum speed and the car will do that speed whenever possible. If a slower car moves in front of you, it will match their speed at a driver programmed distance. When the lane clears, the ZDX automatically accelerates back to the preprogrammed speed. Cars like the Acura are quickly approaching autopilot ability and while some may cringe at the idea, I will quickly accept it on futuristic vehicles like the ZDX. Get me to Vegas, R-2.

This crossover is AWESOME! I am only kinda disappointed they are stopping this year. I have a 2010 Advance Package with 18,000 miles. 4 days a week is company car and Friday is my car. Talk about making Fridays special.

POSITIVES: I have seen two on the road in the past year + mine. The handling is sweet, power is acceptable, acceleration is nostalgic (revs like a muscle car), technology is over the top and I still can't stop looking at it. NEGATIVES: Headroom in the back (I am 6'1") but kids and wife 5" so no problem. Took three weeks to figure out all the toys and can't watch movies on the navigation. KEY FEATURE I LIKE: Ventilated seats, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise, voice commands (music, phone, temperature, music, etc.). This car is still one of the most advanced technology wise on the market.

Drove the ZDX, very nice ride. Not my favorite Acura to drive, the MDX Advance drives much sportier in sport mode, and the RDX is the sportiest with super quick reflexes. I would buy the ZDX of the three because I love the look, and because its a niche vehicle which means you won't see one at every stop light that appeals to me.

WARNING!! - I own a 5 year old Acura TL and would NEVER BUY Acura again. All of the 04-06 TLs have huge cracks down the middle of the dashboard in the exact same spot. It's so bad there is a Facebook Group just for the issue and local news stories. It is a safety issue since the cracks all go right over the passenger airbag. Yet, Acura refuses to fix the problem. They have offered to fix it for the "discounted" price of ONLY $1,050! Acura does not care about their customers.

This looks 100 times better in darker colors, as do most cars. The dark burgundy and black models are stunning because they mesh the black trim on the rear well and make the chrome contrast nicely. Maybe the world just isn't ready for super futurist designs like this....

Well that explains it all. I never knew this thing started at 45k versus the 42k for a MDX. Wow what an huge mistake on acura's part. Not even I can say that made sense in the grand scheme of things. You can't tell a buyer to pay more for less. the only extra your getting for the zdx is the awesome panoramic sun roof. I mean I in fact love the styling of the vehicle.

^^^ I agree about price being the potential deal-killer for this thing. I personally find the ZDX atrocious-looking, but there are buyers who love vehicles like this & I believe sales would have been much better had Acura not priced it so high out of the gate.

I belive that the real problem with this vehicle is cost. I belive that Acuras target market is not ready to pay 4000 more for aZDX over a MDX. They arent at BMW level where customers are happy to get X6 over a X5. Customers of brands like Infinity, Lexus and Acura are customers that even when they whant luxury thay whant some value for their investment.

I've seen it in person too, and it doesn't look any better in my eyes. Not growing on me at all. I have only seen one on the road once! I can't imagine they're selling well at all, big surprise. I look forward to see this car discontinued.